SHRUBS, Continued 
P. nivosus roseo-pictus. Calico Plant. Tropical. This 
is a very colorful subject that may be used in 
mass planting or trimmed in a small hedge. The 
leaves are rather small and somewhat resemble 
rose leaves except that they are smooth on the 
edges. Dark green, variegated in rose, cream and 
pink with the new foliage sometimes almost solid 
pink, the plants look as if they were covered with 
small pink flowers. 
PITHECELLOBIUM [60] guadalupense (Inga 
guadalupense). Tropical. A very pretty unarmed 
and fairly rapid growing shrub with dark green 
leathery leaves shining above. The flowers like 
those of the rest of the genus are feathery, 
creamy yellow and long seed pods are very 
twisted and ornamental. 
PITTOSPORUM [61] rhombifolium. Hardy. Some¬ 
times used as a tree in California this variety 
does not seem to make such a rapid growth 
here, but if given a well drained soil will make 
a very ornamental large shrub. The leaves are 
thinner than those of the Tobira, rounded, but 
dark green and shining. The flowers are borne in 
terminal clusters and are white, turning yellow 
with age. 
P. Tobira. Tobira Shrub. China and Japan. Hardy. 
This is one of our flnest subjects for hedge and 
formal plants; and it is also flne for beach plant¬ 
ing as it will stand exposure to salt spray. 
Rather showy in growth, it may be easily kept to 
any desired height. It prefers a rather loose but 
fairly rich soil and good drainage for best results. 
The foliage is thick, dark green and very shining, 
arranged around the stem in rosette form giving 
it a very unusual appearance. Flowers creamy 
white, very fragrant, in dense terminal heads. 
PLUMBAGO [62] capensis. Blue Leadwort. Trop¬ 
ical and sub-tropical. South Africa. Somewhat 
climbing in habit, the Plumbago is nevertheless 
one of our flnest shrubs for base planting, mass 
plantings, and general landscape work. The 
branches are small, rather willowy, foliage light 
green, small and in clusters along the joints of 
the stem. Flowers in terminal rounded heads, 
salver shaped and of a very lovely azure blue. 
This prefers well drained sunny soils and should 
be pruned quite often for best results. It is also 
sometimes used as a hedge. 
P. capensis alba. Tropical. A white flowered form 
of the preceding which it very closely resembles. 
Not so popular as the blue and not quite so 
Severinia as a hedge 
sturdy, it is nevertheless a very lovely subject if- 
given a little more attention than the Blue 
Plumbago usually gets. The heads of flowers are 
rather more open and airy, but it is a good 
bloomer. 
P. coccinea. Tropical. A distinct type from the two 
varieties mentioned above, this has very large 
ovate leaves almost if not entirely joined around 
the stem, and terminal spikes of lovely rose pink 
flowers that last well. It is, however, very sus¬ 
ceptible to root-knot and care must be used in 
planting for this reason. It will thrive in the sun 
as do the others but both the foliage and flowers 
are handsomer in partial shade and with fairly 
moist soil. 
POINSETTIA [63] (Euphorbia puicberrima). 
Tropical. Mexico. So well known as to need little 
description, the poinsettia with its large rich red 
floral bracts has become the universal Christmas 
flower. Very rapid in growth they prefer a well 
drained soil somewhat protected from the winds 
and for best results should be pruned back severly 
in early spring and again in July and September. A 
splendid pot flower for Christmas, they do well 
out of doors in the southern area and if frozen 
down come again quickly from the roots. The 
following types are most usually grown: 
Single Red. The common poinsettia with tall stems 
and large rich red floral bracts in winter which 
last for a month or more. 
Double Red. A form of the above but with clusters 
of smaller bracts arranged in the center so as to 
give the effect of a double flower. Rather darker 
and richer in color than the single red and flow¬ 
ering a little later in the season. 
Pink. A distinct novelty but one that is inclined to 
go back to the original red if not watched and 
the branches with rea flowers cut out. The bracts 
are large, rich rose pink, gradually fading to a 
creamy pink, A little more delicate in growth 
than the red flowered types. 
White. Rather more dwarf than the other types, 
this poinsettia prefers shade for best results but 
of course must have well drained soil. The foli¬ 
age is thinner in texture and more yellowish 
green. Flower bracts are not so long nor so reg¬ 
ular as other types and are a delicate creamy 
white becoming almost pure white under shaded 
conditions. 
POSOQUERIA [64] latifolia. Needle Flower. 
Tropical. Tropical America. A very large and 
very tropical shrub with opposite dark green and 
shining leaves 4-5 inches long, resembling a 
species of rubber in general appearance. The 
long tubular fragrant white flowers are borne in 
loose terminal clusters. A lovely subject too tender 
for use out of doors except in the very southern 
part of the state, but makes a fine conservatory 
subject. 
PYRACANTHA [65] crenulata. Evergreen Haw¬ 
thorne. Hardy. A rather spreading shrub that 
reaches a large size with small shining foliage 
and clusters of dark red berries in the fall and 
34 
